Career & Life 2.0: It is not always good to be “comfortable” ….

Taking a break this weekend – I hope you enjoy this celebration weekend in whatever way you practice. Peace! – Dan

In case you missed last week …

“If we don’t decide to step out of our box—come out of our comfort zone, we won’t progress and live beyond our present potential, but regress and remain in the reality of our own limitation.”– Howard T. Dickens Jr.

Being comfortable – in whatever way one measures it – feels good for sure. But it can also be limiting if being comfortable holds one back from experiencing new things & people, taking new opportunities or just being closed-minded and resistant to change, which we have all seen in others we know (or ourselves!).

It is natural to try to be comfortable in one’s job, career to life. Life becomes very predictable. You have routine. You likely know your expectations.

But in the aura of being comfortable, one can also become complacent and that inhibits growth and personal achievement. In my opinion, it is critical to get out of your comfort zone so to speak, and experience and evaluate new things, especially in your work life.

Uncomfortable being in a group – try a small group first.

Don’t like to network at an event – just try by giving yourself a defined time period, and then leave.

Doing the same thing over and over again in your job – ask for new varied duties.

And the list can go on …

The key – break the comfort and always know – you can go back.

I am a case in point: People who meet me would label me as extroverted, able to talk to anyone, very comfortable before people. Well – the truth is – I am an introvert if you read my personality assessment. It is true.

But here is the difference. As psychologist Carl Jung believes, we are not “locked” into our personality and rather, personality is a preference. While I have a preference for being an introvert, I can move out of my preference (comfort zone) and be very extroverted for a period of time when it is required. After that is over, I might hang out in the barn or go where I can be alone or with Vikki. Or I write my blog – alone. I recharge.

Being a bit uncomfortable in a new experience, situation or group helps one get out of their box and grow. You can always return to comfort – just wander outside a bit to grow!

And thank you for reading this. I am truly blessed by the over 1.5 million who see my thoughts weekly. – Dan